Must... Pack...

I am a little neurotic, I'll grant you that. But when I told my SIL yesterday what Chris and I discuss laying in bed at night, she bust up laughing. Ok. Well. Maybe It's gone past neurosis.

I haven't been able to get my hands on any boxes. This is bad, because I wander around the house all day - eyes darting to books, toys, other non-essentials-  holding myself and chanting 'Must pack... must pack'.
Chris brought home 25 boxes the other day. I had them packed up in a little over an hour. Now I'm back to pacing the floors...

At night, Chris and I lay in bed and discuss picture/furniture placement. It goes something like this,
"Where are you going to put the mirror?"
"Above the Mantel of course."
"You don't' want the TV there?"
"Have I EVER wanted the TV front and center?"

or

"Where are you going to build your desk?"
"In the kitchen, just off the mud room."
"But which side?"
"The LEFT side"
"Where that wall comes up a couple of feet?"
"What wall are you talking about?"
"You know! The wall that comes out perpendicular to the..."

and on and on we go.

Ah. It feels good to have these little things to focus my mind on. Keeps it off how long we still have here (6 weeks), saying goodbye to all the good people here-- being farther away from grandma and cousins,  and the kids having to start at new schools.

I know. I'm crazy. Totally not my fault though. Mad Cow disease (anyone else a Boston Legal fan?).
(the Doc FINALLY called in a scrip for hormone replacement drugs. I'm praying they work... w/o giving me cancer...)

Boy talk

Luke: 'Zeke! Are you poopy?'

Zeke: 'No! I just fart a lot!' (that is possibly his longest sentence to date- *sniff* I'm so proud.)


Luke to smart kid in math class: "Taylor! Learn me some crap!"
(translation: Help me! I don't understand this concept!)

Did anyone else notice that the two year old's sentence structure is better than the 15 yo's?


Ah.... boys.... so. much. fun.

We're IN!

They accepted the offer! We'll close April 7th, and I'm assuming, move that same weekend. Now we just have to break it to the kids.

This would be a good time to mention the turmoil I've felt over the well being of the kids-- this being Luke's 8th move in his short 15 years. We have financial issues to consider of course, but $$$ aside, I didn't want to take them out of school in the middle of the year.

We had the option to stay till the end of May, which coincides with the end of school. I worried, I debated, I fretted. I couldn't make a decision. It's always been my policy to make my decision and then take that to the Lord, but as I was reading my scriptures yesterday, I came across this verse:

Enos 1:15  "... Whatsoever thing ye shall ask in faith, believing that ye shall receive in the name of Christ, ye shall receive it." 

It was one of those 'Aha' moments. I don't always need to make a decision, I can ask for guidance.

I did.

My answer came immediately. 'Move April 7th. The kids will be alright.' I went to the calendar to see when Spring break for Chris was. April 5-9. It will be perfect timing. That was almost another confirmation.

Of course I cried, because the feeling was so overwhelming, that peace and comfort that only the Spirit can bring. My children would not be scarred for life. They would be fine. And we'll have almost 2 months of no rent/mortgage to replenish our savings account which will be drained when we sign over the next 30 years of our life.

Now I can start the exhausting process of moving. Knowing it will be the LAST time-- I'm almost excited.

Check it out

Here's the house we put an offer on.  Fingers crossed. It's awesome. We love it. It's practically perfect in every way.

That little connector house is a huge mudroom. That is almost the most exciting thing about this house to me! 

Fridge included, SCORE!

The view from the front porch. See the spire in the distance? It's the temple.

Luke

Today is Luke's 15th birthday. We celebrated with family last night. He wanted home made cinnamon rolls instead of cake, so that's what I made. Friday he'll have his friends come for a party. This is the first year since his 12th that he's wanted a friend party. I'll try to sneak a photo if I remember. I obviously didn't remember last night.

Luke is an amazing kid. He woke up early yesterday so that he could tiddy the whole house for me, and then left me a Valentine. I realize not many 15 yo's would do this for their mom, but for Luke, it's hardly even surprising. He does this kind of stuff for me all the time. He's very conscientious. Very aware of everyone in the room and their feelings. I'm proud to be his mother, although I take no credit for him. He came this way, and I've just done my best not to screw him up (I take no blame for Ella either).

Two nights ago at dinner, Luke said, "I have a joke for you mom". Chris immediately chimed in, "It's not appropriate, don't tell it." That made me wonder. Luke is not usually rude, but he insisted. "No. Mom, it's hardly inappropriate at all." Which still leaves it slightly inappropriate right? Chris kept protesting, so did I, I mean all the kids were there at the table, but he plowed right into it anyways.

"What did the psychiatrist say to the man who came into his office wearing only saran wrap?"

"I can clearly see your nuts."

At which point, Chris starts giggling like a 12 year old girl. Of course, so did the girls. Alright, so did I. That's pretty funny right?

Ok, well, he was right. It wasn't that bad, and we aren't the most 'appropriate' family anyway.

Happy Birthday Luke-- we can  clearly see that you're a good kid.

Valentines Rant

Isn't this lovely? WHO has the time/energy
for this kind of thing? It's SO beyond
me at this point in my life. But I'm glad
there are women out there who can still
manage such wonderful craftiness.
Bless their little Martha Stewart hearts. 

Ok, I know, everyone is supposed to love Valentines Day, but can I just say, I think it's gotten a little out of hand?

I have to get 100 Valentines this year! Seriously!

Ella- 26
Kate- 29
Tess- 39 (they voted for BOTH 6th grade classes. WHY would they let them vote? Of course they'd vote high, do you think they're paying for it?)
Out of town Cousins- 6

Grand total: 100 Freaking Valentines!

Forget cute and homemade
Forget getting the 'good' store bought kind

I just went for the cheapest thing I could find. Ok, so it wasn't that bad -- $12. But STILL. It's a good thing this is not my PMS week, or there would be NO Valentines coming from this house!

This is EXACTLY the kind of thing that keeps me stuck in the Martha Syndrome.

Ergh.

The Martha Syndrome

"Martha, Martha: thou art careful and troubled over many things" (Luke 10:42) 

LDS women, in particular, seem to have problems with the Martha Syndrome. We have much care and trouble over cub scouts, the PTA, homemaking meetings, cooking, cleaning and the like. Moms worry about their children's homework, and the science fair, and getting children to soccer practice, and music lessons, and then keeping all the baby books and scrapbooks up to date. There are church callings to magnify and a garden to grow, and fresh produce to can, and food storage to be obtained and rotated - and, oh yes, we're really not cooking with enough whole wheat! And are we actively supporting the political candidate of our choice? And are our homes like the the temple? And are we getting enough exercise? 

This is an excerpt from this article, presented by Lili De Hoyos Anderson, LCSW, PhD at BYU: 

https://ojs.lib.byu.edu/spc/index.php/IssuesInReligionAndPsychotherapy/article/viewFile/462/437

It's an article I came across years ago, have read literally dozens of times, and yet, each time I read it, I feel renewed. My copy is old, yellowing, doodled on, and spilled on -- and I don't even know where I keep it to tell you the truth, and yet, every time I come across it, seems to be at a point in my life when I most need to hear the message again. I reread it and get exactly what my stress addled brain needs at that time. It's like my own loaves and fishes miracle. I want so desperately to be Mary, and yet I find I still have the concerns of Martha.

I hope you'll take the time to read it, study it, and decide to free yourselves from 'the Martha syndrome'.  It's been at least 10 years since I came across this talk, and still I have not learned to apply it's lessons.  I constantly struggle with these 'terrestrial stresses', instead of focusing on the 'celestial stresses' that will actually lead me to the Savior, who alone, has the power to heal my broken mind and give me the PEACE I so long for.

I feel like I should end with my testimony....  I know this church is true.... well, you get the picture.

READ THE ARTICLE!

PS. Thanks everyone for your concern as of late. I should not be allowed anywhere near my blog when I am PMS-ing. I'm doing much better now. I'm only psychotic one week out of four, and my doctor is working on a solution to that...

Kate's Big Day

Kate wearing the 'family' baptism dress. 

Just before her baptism

Kate was excited all day to be baptized. She wrote "I feel AWESOME!" in her remembrance book. She chose to be baptized in a dress, and then changed into Tess' baptism dress afterwards. She was showered with love and gifts from family, friends, and her school teacher (who is a saint), and loved every minute of it. I asked her if she felt different when we were leaving the stake center, and she said, "Yes!" Chris gave a wonderful confirmation blessing. I wish I could remember it word for word, but you know, I've got Mad Cow disease. I'll ask him if he can remember it. Afterwards we went up to my Mom and Dad's and had dinner with all the family. About 30 of us. It was nice to sit and visit. Kate is a pretty great kid, and we are so blessed to have her in our family. We love you Kate!

Just a little off the top please

Zeke had his first 'official' haircut yesterday. I've cut it several times, but each time I do, Luke tells me it looks ridiculous, so I decided to get the poor kid a real haircut. You'll all be shocked to hear that as soon as Luke got home and looked at Zeke, he said, "Did you cut his hair again? He looks ridiculous!" Apparently, Luke just doesn't know beans about haircuts. Maybe if we let it grow long like his, then he'd think it's cool? Really, there was no difference. I can do just as good a job. The challenge is with Zeke's baby fine thin hair-- and getting him to hold still. I had to hold his face while she cut. Things got really nutty when he grabbed the steering wheel of his plane and started shaking it for all he was worth. LOL. We had a little time out during that . 

 No style stays put for longer than 30 seconds on Zeke, and it constantly looks like he just got out 

of bed. All Chris' genes right there people. Only Luke got my hair. Chris said, "Use the same product I use on my hair." I'm thinking, product? On a 2 year old? Get serious. I'm NOT one of those mom's anymore. I really don't care if he has a rat's nest in the back of his head from the car seat. He's TWO! 

Anyways, this place is called Cookie Cutters, and it's just for kids. Pretty cool, they get to sit in the car/airplane of their choice, watch TV and eat suckers. The waiting room has a outdoor playground thing in it. Then they leave w/ a balloon.

Zeke was pretty freaked out to start out with, he DID NOT want to get strapped into that plane, but as soon as I gave him his sucker, he calmed right down and watched Little Bear. It was worth the $13 just to be able to leave the mess and walk away.